The Regulator’s aims
We aim to:
- strengthen protections for social service users to prevent harm, abuse and neglect
- make sure service users have safety, agency and dignity
- support safe and effective social services delivery
- help providers build a culture of continuous quality improvement.
To support these aims, the new framework includes six Social Service Standards that all registered social service providers must meet. For more information, see About the Social Services Standards.
Who we regulate
Social services that we regulate include:
- child protection services
- community-based child and family services
- disability services (with some exclusions)
- family violence services
- homelessness services
- out of home care services
- secure welfare services
- sexual assault services
- supported residential services.
Services in scope of the scheme are outlined in the Regulations.
How we regulate social services
We put in place a robust and streamlined registration process. This makes sure providers are able to deliver safe services before they can offer those services. For more information, see Social Services Regulator registration.
Our initial focus is on guidance and education to support providers to meet the requirements of the new scheme.
We will also use the full range of our regulatory powers to protect service users, when needed.
To regulate effectively, our approach is to:
Educate - give providers guidance and support to help them understand and meet the Standards
Use evidence - make sure our decisions are fair, data-driven and focused on reducing regulatory burden
Build confidence - work with stakeholders to build confidence in the safe delivery of social services
Ensure compliance – use compliance and enforcement tools to reduce and remove risks of harm to service users, including monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Social Services Standards and Child Safe Standards
Continuous improvement - encourage a culture of continuous quality improvement, identify sector trends and needs (including through notifications and incident reporting) and by using issues and trends observed to contribute to the ongoing development of the social services sector.
More information on how we regulate is in the Regulatory approach statement.
Our regulatory principles
Our regulatory approach is guided by seven principles
Collaborative
To make sure social services are safe, we work with:
- other relevant agencies
- regulators
- service users
- registered social service providers
- the community.
Accountable
We are objective and open in our decision making and processes.
We help duty holders to understand our regulatory approach and focus areas.
Fair
We treat all social service providers equally, without favouritism or prejudice. We focus on procedural fairness.
Proportionate
We make decisions using an intelligence-led and integrated approach that is proportionate to risk and minimises regulatory burden.
Effective
We use our resources where they will:
- have the greatest positive effect
- protect the safety, wellbeing and rights of people accessing social services.
Clear
We communicate our messages, advice and enforcement actions in a clear, accessible and concise way.
We use communication channels that meet the needs of service users, providers and the community.
Inclusive
We engage with and consider the needs of the diverse stakeholders who access, provide and interact with the social services we regulate.
Help and more information
See Social Services Standards webpage for information sheets on:
- an overview of the Standards
- how to meet each Standard
Updated